ost, leading to loss of nerve impulse conduction and eventually even to the degeneration of nerve fibers. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that GGF2 can stimulate the cell growth necessary to protect and regenerate damaged myelin sheath. Neuregulins also have been shown to enhance survival and function of both peripheral and CNS nerves, for example, those involved in peripheral neuropathies or Parkinson's disease. In addition, neuregulins have been shown to play a role in synaptic plasticity, which is important for memory. Abnormalities in the neuregulin system have been implicated in the pathogenesis of brain cancers and schizophrenia.
Growth factors are proteins that bind to receptors on the cell surface, with the primary result of activating cellular survival, proliferation and/or differentiation. Many growth factors are quite versatile, stimulating cellular division in numerous different cell types; while others are specific to a particular cell-type.
About Remyelination and Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis currently afflicts approximately 350,000 people in the US. It is thought to be an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which causes the destruction of myelin, the insulating sheath that surrounds nerve processes. When myelin is destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain is disrupted. Disabilities associated with MS included fatigue, impaired walking ability, spasticity, and impaired bowel and bladder control. Current MS therapies work by slowing the progression of the disease but do not address the permanent demyelination that leads to the disabilities associated with that condition. Demyelination is also a component of other central nervous system disorders, such as spinal cord injury.
About Acorda Therapeutics
Acorda Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company, is developing therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI)
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Contact: Tierney Saccavino, Acorda Therapeutics
tsaccavino@acorda.com
914-347-4300
Porter Novelli
13-Nov-2002
Page: 1 2 3 Related biology news :1.
Acorda therapeutics receives NIH Phase 2 grant for central nervous system repair2.
Acorda Therapeutics receives L.W. Freeman Award for Scientific Research3.
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16th EORTC NCI AACR Symposium Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics5.
16th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics6.
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